Genetics of Northern Europeans - 2024 Study

The genetics of Northern Europeans is shaped by a complex interplay of ancient migrations and admixture, particularly involving Yamnaya Indo-European ancestry, which profoundly influenced the genetic landscape of this region. The Yamnaya people, originating from the steppes of what is now Ukraine and southern Russia, migrated into Northern Europe during the Bronze Age, bringing with them not only cultural and technological innovations but also their genetic legacy. This Yamnaya influence is particularly evident in the genetic markers associated with Indo-European languages, which spread across much of Europe, contributing to the genetic makeup of groups such as the Germanic and Insular Celts.

Northern Europeans, including the Germanic populations, the Insular Celts, and the Finns, exhibit specific genetic predispositions to various autoimmune conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes (T1D), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These conditions are more prevalent in these populations, likely due to both genetic and environmental factors. For instance, multiple sclerosis has a notably higher incidence in Nordic regions, reflecting a "Nordic genetic predisposition" potentially linked to variants in the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) complex, which plays a critical role in immune system function. Similarly, type 1 diabetes is common among people of Finnish ancestry, where "Finnish genetics" has revealed certain HLA haplotypes that increase susceptibility to this autoimmune disorder. Rheumatoid arthritis also shows a higher prevalence in Northern European populations, with specific genetic markers such as the HLA-DRB1 gene being implicated. These genetic predispositions underscore the intricate relationship between Northern European ancestry, including the contributions from Yamnaya Indo-Europeans, and the increased risk of autoimmune diseases in these populations.

Data from the study can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

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